Area news in brief: April 24, 2012

Tuesday

Apr 24, 2012 at 9:27 AM

A Houma woman is charged with stabbing a man in the neck four times at a bar Thursday night, police said.

A Houma woman is charged with stabbing a man in the neck four times at a bar Thursday night, police said.Jennifer Sparks, 40, 3603 Baker Drive, stabbed the man at Hams Lounge, 9081 E. Main St., Houma Police said. She then fled the scene while the man was taken to the hospital.The man's injuries are not life-threatening, authorities said, while Sparks was booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail Friday after an interview with detectives.Sparks is charged with aggravated second-degree battery and was released from jail Monday after posting a $15,000 bond.

A Terrebonne Parish jail inmate faces additional charges for allegedly carrying on a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl in February 2011.Terris Hawkins, 19, 620 Morgan St., has been in jail since March, serving time for failing to appear in court, Terrebonne sheriff's deputies said. The complainant said Hawkins continued to have sex with the teen even though he knew how old she was.Hawkins is now charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile. He is being held in lieu of $11,000 worth of bonds.

The Cote Blanche Pontoon Bridge over Bayou Lafourche in Cut Off will be closed until 4 p.m. today.Lafourche Public Works will remove rails on the bridge to widen the roadbed.Marine traffic will not be affected.

Organizers will meet Thursday afternoon to plan this year's Juneteenth celebrations in Terrebonne Parish.Juneteenth dates back to the freedom of slaves more than 150 years ago. The celebration usually includes dance performances, skits and music.This year's Juneteenth event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Dumas Park.The Houma-Terrebonne Economic and Community Development Corp is planning the local events. It will meet immediately following the Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority's board meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday at Bayou Towers, 7491 Park St. in Houma. Both meetings are open to the public.

Volunteers are needed for a beach sweep collecting trash May 12 on Elmer's Island. The sweep from 8 a.m. to noon is hosted by the Thibodaux-based Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program. The refuge is a state public beach in Jefferson Parish next to Grand Isle.The island is known for excellent fishing and provides daytime beach access for swimming, wading, birding and other beach activities.It may be hot and there will be limited shade, so bring sunscreen. The back bay area of the remove island is wet and muddy. Lunch, water and gloves will be provided.To sign up, visit volunteer.btnep.org or contact BTNEP public involvement coordinator Joseph Dantin at 228-0358 or joe@btnep.org.

Police will conduct a DWI checkpoint within the city limits of Thibodaux Wednesday.State Police, the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office and Houma Police are expected to help.

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